A new era for pancreatic cancer? Personalised mRNA vaccine shows 6-year survival success

Early clinical trial results suggest a breakthrough in pancreatic cancer treatment: a personalised mRNA vaccine has shown the ability to trigger long-term immune memory. This targeted therapy could significantly improve survival rates for a cancer previously deemed largely resistant to immunotherapy. 

In the Phase 1 trial, 16 patients with early-stage pancreatic cancer received a custom-made vaccine after surgery. The trial was led by Dr Vinod Balachandran, director of the Olayan Centre for Cancer Vaccines at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Centre in New York City. 

Equipping one's own body to recognise and fight the cancer cells, the vaccine was designed using genetic material from each patient's own tumour. 

Patients also received standard chemotherapy. 

What makes the findings notable? 

Long-term follow-up data reveal a significant survival benefit for patients showing a strong T-cell response to the mRNA therapy. Of the 16 participants, 50% developed the intended immune reaction; remarkably, 75% of those responders (six patients) are still alive after six years. 

This offers a breakthrough alternative to the traditional outlook for pancreatic cancer, where fewer than 13% of patients survive beyond the five-year mark. 

How does the vaccine work? 

Instead of directly killing the cancer, the vaccine works by training the immune system. It teaches the body to identify the cancer cells as harmful and fight them. 

Once the body is trained to identify the cancer cells, it can seek and destroy them if they return. 

With the follow-up data, the trial results are being presented at the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting. 

"The results are encouraging," said Dr Balachandran. 

Based on the phase 1 results, a global phase 2 clinical trial sponsored by Genentech in collaboration with BioNTech is now testing autogene cevumeran in a larger patient group.